The Kremlin announced Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump have agreed to meet in the coming days, marking a significant diplomatic development in efforts to end the three-year Ukraine conflict.
Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed that both sides are actively working to arrange the summit, with a venue already selected though not yet publicly disclosed. This would be the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House in January.
The announcement follows a "highly productive" meeting Wednesday between Putin and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow. Trump acknowledged the progress on his Truth Social platform, stating that "great progress" was made and emphasizing that "everyone agrees this War must come to a close."
However, the Kremlin quickly dismissed reports of a proposed trilateral meeting that would include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ushakov clarified that while the American representative mentioned this possibility, "the Russian side left this option completely without comment."
The prospect of Trump and Putin meeting alone has raised concerns in Kyiv and European capitals about Ukraine being sidelined from crucial decisions about its own future. Zelensky responded cautiously Thursday, stating he would consult with European allies including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
"The priorities are absolutely clear," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. "The first is to stop the killings, and it is Russia that must agree to a ceasefire. The second is a format for leaders so that the meeting can work for a truly lasting peace."
The diplomatic push comes against the backdrop of shifting Ukrainian public opinion. A new Gallup poll revealed that approximately 70% of Ukrainians now favor negotiating a settlement as soon as possible—a dramatic reversal from 2022 when three-quarters wanted to fight until victory. Support for continuing the war has declined steadily across all regions and demographic groups.
The poll also showed Ukrainian approval of US leadership has plummeted from two-thirds three years ago to just 16% currently, reflecting tensions since Trump took office. Meanwhile, German leadership approval among Ukrainians has risen to 63%.
Trump has maintained pressure on Moscow with a Friday deadline for progress toward ending the conflict, threatening heavy economic sanctions if Russia continues its attacks. The president called continued Russian strikes against Ukrainian civilians "disgusting" and promised new punitive measures.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the conflict has claimed over 12,000 Ukrainian civilian lives according to UN figures. Russian forces continue advancing slowly along the 1,000-kilometer front line, with tens of thousands of military casualties on both sides.
The potential summit location remains undisclosed, though Turkey and Middle Eastern venues are considered most likely. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that while a meeting could happen soon, "a lot has to happen before that can occur."
Whether this diplomatic initiative can bridge the substantial gap between Russian and Ukrainian negotiating positions remains to be seen, but it represents the most significant high-level engagement since the war began.
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